Sanosuke Sagara finally makes his appearance. He’s one of the best brawlers around, and he has a grudge against those who fought for the government during the Bakumatsu. He makes his stand against Kenshin in Rurouni Kenshin Episode 4.
Episode 4 — The Fighter for Hire・Sanosuke Sagara
Rurouni Kenshin: Past and Present — Kenshingumi Eats Out
Let’s get a couple of things out of the way first. 1996’s Episode 4 began with Sanosuke knocking a bunch of thugs out in a scene that’s mirrored at the end of 2023’s Episode 3. The difference was that the new thugs were the Hishimanji Guren Gang. So again, events happen in different episodes. Sanosuke taking on a whole group by himself off screen was a great introduction to the character, and an epic way to begin an episode. It perfectly set the stage for a new, strong character who didn’t look like just another villain.
I’ve had this complaint before; where the heck are Oguni Gensai and his granddaughters Ayame and Suzume?! It’s Episode 4, and they’re nowhere to be seen! I certainly hope these important characters appear soon. Especially Dr. Gensai, because a doctor can be useful for those, like Kenshin and Sanosuke, who regularly fight superhuman opponents. They were there in 1996, excited to go out to eat.
In both 1996 and 2023, Kaoru presented an ink painting her grandfather made. It’s a valuable item that would fetch a high price. The difference here is purely comedic. In 1996, Kaoru rummaged through a storage building, and the sound effects implied that she was making a mess. Here in 2023, she just walks up with the painting.
Tae still works at the Akabeko Restaurant, but they showed her in the wrong episode. It was still nice to see her.
Sanosuke’s brawl against the drunk activists played out a little differently. The scene where Sano’s opponent pulls a hidden knife and rushes him has the same outcome, but not the same reaction. In the 1996 version, the man immediately knows that his strike missed and that his fingers were broken. In the 2023 version, he didn’t feel it, and his hand was covered in blood because Sano stabbed him with his own knife.
Rurouni Kenshin: Past and Present — Kenshin Vs. Sanosuke Part 1
Kenshin, Kaoru, and Yahiko had a much funnier reaction to Tae realizing that Sanosuke walked out on his bill in 1996. In 2023, Gohei is not seen watching the fight from a corner afterward.
As seen in both the manga and 1996 iterations, Kenshin and Sanosuke face off, but the real fight doesn’t begin in this episode. Because Kihei was written out of the 1996 version, the scene with the Hiruma brothers differs. Obviously, Kihei isn’t there, and Gohei acts as both muscle and brain.
The scene where Gohei dresses up like Sanosuke didn’t appear back in 1996, and it should have remained that way. It was weird, we didn’t need to see that.
With Sanosuke’s challenge to Kenshin, he headed straight over to the Kamiya Dojo in the 1996 version. However, he spends a couple of weeks traveling to unearth as much information about Kenshin as he can in the 2023 version, so the initial battle happened during the day, not at night like in 1996.
The 2023 version gives us a more badass scene. Kenshin exposes the Hiruma brothers as not only Sanosuke’s clients, but as spies. Kenshin and Sanosuke call them out, and Sanosuke breaks Kihei’s pistol between his fists. Sanosuke decides to change the fighting venue, which may show consideration for the dojo’s well-being.
I will disagree with one thing, however: why the heck did Kaoru show concern for Kihei, then look hurt when he, yet again, declared his intent to steal the land? Kaoru should be angry that they broke out of jail.
Rurouni Kenshin: Past — Fight Interrupted
I’ve complained about Dr. Gensai and his grandchildren not being around. Before it was just annoying, but the 1996 iteration did have the girls play a role. Ayame and Suzume appeared in the doorway just as Kenshin and Sanosuke were prepared to clash blades. “Real fights shouldn’t be seen by women or children,” according to Sano. As such, he backed off and left the dojo. This prompted them to change the fighting venue later on, rather than Sanosuke simply wanting a larger field to fight on.
I’m starting to think they cut Dr. Gensai, Suzume, and Ayame. I don’t know why they would, but it’s Episode 4, and they’re M.I.A.
Even More Crouching Moron, Hidden Badass
The first scene of Kenshin using godlike skills in unexpected ways was when he was chopping wood. Yes, he reversed his reverse-blade sword to expertly chop wood. Even Yahiko called him out on using a master’s skills for chores. Never change, Kenshin.
The famous scene where some drunks throw a bottle and hit Kenshin square in the head remains the same. It was a different glass object between 2023 and 1996, and far less comedic than before. He intentionally took the hit because it saved Kaoru getting hit. Sanosuke points this out as before.
Kenshin’s famous bluff, pressing the handle of his sword to the drunken activist’s back when he pulls a sword, is the same. He moves incredibly fast, and has a darker expression.
Yahiko’s discovery of Kenshin’s background played out well. He said that Kenshin doesn’t seem scary, but that it’s natural for him to be incredibly strong. Once again, being a badass is having a reputation where you don’t need to show off your strength.
The entire fight between Kenshin and Sanosuke is pure badassery. It’s a highlight of the entire Rurouni Kenshin series.
Rurouni Kenshin Ep. 5: And Then, Another
This episode will likely wrap up the Kenshin vs. Sanosuke fight and see Gohei get his leg broken, like before. It’ll be interesting to see if they pull another gun to shoot Kenshin when he’s distracted by the fight. Seeing him block a bullet at close range was indeed badass.
Next up, our multi-anime-verses matchup, brought to you by the J-List Store. Aki is a fine swordsman with a couple of swords. How do you think he’d fare against Kenshin? The Aki Hayakawa Figma Action Figure from the Chainsaw Man section is now available for pre-order.
What did you think of Rurouni Kenshin Episode 4? Do you miss Dr. Gensai and his granddaughters as much as I do? Do you think Kihei and Gohei brought another gun to the fight? Let us know in the comments below.
